Shubman Gill OUT of IND vs NZ 1st Test? Rohit Sharma's troubles gallop

Shubman Gill has given an injury scare to the Indian cricket team ahead of the highly anticipated three-match Test series opener against New Zealand. The upcoming India vs New Zealand Test series is all set to get underway at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 16.

Shubman Gill has been grappling with a stiff neck, leaving his chances of taking the field on Wednesday, October 16, uncertain. As the clock ticks, all eyes are on the physio’s table to see if Shubman Gill can recover in time for the Test series opener against New Zealand.

Shubman Gill’s neck injury could impact India's batting order in Bengaluru Test

If the right-handed batter fails to recover in time for the India vs New Zealand Test in Bengaluru, it could pave the way for Sarfaraz Khan to step up, while KL Rahul may be pushed into the No. 3 spot, shaking up Team India's batting order right before the Test series opener against New Zealand.

Notably, Shubman Gill has been in great form with the bat, and if he misses the first India vs New Zealand Test, it will be a big blow to the hosts. Recently, the right-handed batter smashed a century against Bangladesh during India’s 2-0 series win at home.

The 25-year-old Shubman Gill has a great record in his young Test career, amassing 1656 runs at an average of over 36 in 27 matches with the help of 5 centuries and 6 fifties. His highest score is 128 while his strike rate is over 60 in his Test career so far since making his debut in Australia back in 2020.

Rohit Sharma drops major hint about the young trio ahead of India vs New Zealand Tests

Meanwhile, ahead of the India vs New Zealand Test series, Captain Rohit Sharma has revealed that newest pace sensation Mayank Yadav, all-rounder Nitish Reddy, and fast bowler Harshit Rana are all being considered for fast-tracking into the national team for the upcoming tour of Australia.

They are all currently part of India’s Test squad as traveling reserves for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand at home. Additionally, Prasidh Krishna, who recently experienced a minor injury during Karnataka's first match in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25, is still in the race for the selection for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia.

Rohit Sharma opens up about Mohammed Shami’s fitness

The Indian captain also opened up about Mohammed Shami’s fitness and his comeback plan as he continued to recover from the injury at the NCA. Rohit made it clear that the Indian team wants Shami to be 100% fit, and they don’t want to bring an undercooked pacer to Australia.

Rohit Sharma told media at the press conference in Bengaluru: “The physios, the trainers, the doctors have set a roadmap for him. He is supposed to play a couple of games before he plays international cricket. So, we’ll see where he’s at after this New Zealand series and then take a call, at what stage of Australia he’ll be fit for us.”